Q: I’m a ten-year-old boy and I really like my cousin’s neighbor. She likes me, too, I guess, because she always asks me to ride around on my bike with her. What should I do? PS: She even laughs at my stupid jokes!
A: Sounds like the beginning of the love bug gnawing at o your gut like a rat on cheese. Those tingling feelings will be with you for a long time, pal—for different girls and at different times. But the feeling of wanting to be with girls is normal and healthy.
As far as your cousin’s neighbor is concerned, I’d go on bike rides and fly kites and paint animal cookies and go puddle jumping in a rainstorm. Have fun with her—and lots of other friends. Do fun stuff with groups of guys and girls.
Since you are ten, my guess is you won’t want to get married for at least a year (or probably more like fifteen years). So don’t get too serious about one girl at this point. That’s my advice.
PS: There are a zillion girls out there who will laugh at your stupid jokes. I know, because a few of them even laugh at mine! The rat will be nibbling for a long time. Don’t get too eager.